Rail expansion joint



19382 H, H. GlLBERT 2,106,705

RAIL EXFANS ION JOINT "Filed Aug. 11, 1936 INVENTOR Patented Feb. 1, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RAIL EXPANSION JOINT Harold H. Gilbert, Sacramento, Calif.

Application August 11, 1936, Serial No. 95,368 2 Claims. (01. 238-228) This invention relates to a rail expansion joint Splines as shown in Figure 3, sothat the laminain which a continuous rail tread is formed in the tions will act together as a unit to sustain the space between the rail ends, this space being co-nvertical wheel loads. Block 4 is fastened to the tinually decreased or increased in length due to b e pla e I and serves to re ain the lamina- 5 the expansion or contraction of the rails. This tions 5. Parts I! are shim plates for adjust- 5 expansion and contraction of the rails may be ment. Part 3 is alaterally offset extension to the due to changes in temperature or in the case of movable rails 2 and I5, which slides on the base the rails at the endof a long span bridge this plate 2 n the rooved uide 9- The O set 8X- movement may be caused by the deflection of the tension 3 has an inwardly offset oblique vertical l0 bridge under live load. face as shown, which is parallel to the oblique 10 This invention consists of certain features of end face of the rail 2, and acts o t e Outside construction and in the combination and arends of the laminations to slide them into place rangement of the several parts to be hereinafter between the oblique end faces of the rails I I and fully described and illustrated in the accompany- 2. It is also to be noted that the offset extension ingdrawing wherein l k ch ct rs denote like 3 serves to back up the laminations in all positions 15 or corresponding parts in the several views, and 0f the mova le rail, a in the outward thrust in which: of the Wheels as they travel over the laminations. Figure 1 is a top view of this rail expansion Part 6 is an inside guard rail which is fastened joint. to base plate I2 and acts as a guide for movable Figure 2 i a vertical section on line 2 2 f rail 2. Part 6' is a continuation of the guard 20 Fig. 1. rail on the bridge and is fastened to the base Figure 3 is a vertical section thru the laminaplate I3. tions on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. It is thought from the foregoing description Figure 4 is a vertical section thru the rail joint that the advantages and novel features of the 5 on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1. invention will readily be apparent.

In the drawing one rail joint only is shown. For It is understood that changes m y e m e in a complete track installation it will be necessary the construction and in the combination and arto have another joint in. the other rail, similar to rangement of the several parts, provided that the one shown, but to the opposite hand. such changes come within the scope of the ap- The base plate I2 is considered to be fixed in pended claims. I 30 location, and on a bridge would be fastened to the Having thus described my invention, what I abutments, While base plate I3 is a part of the claim as new is:- bridge span, and moves to either open or close 1. A rail expansion joint comprising the meetthe gap shown at I I, depending upon the coning rail ends, a base plate for supporting said traction or expansion of the bridge. The running rail ends, said rail ends being each cut obliquely rail consists of the rail II which is fastened to and their end faces lying in non-parallel oblique the base plate I2 by the filler block III, the vertical planes, one rail end being fixed to the grooved rail 2 which slides on the base plate I2, base plate, the other rail end being slidably movand the rail I5 which is fastened to the grooved able with respect to both the base plate and the rail 2 and the base plate I3. The sliding rail fixed rail end, means positioned between the rail 40 2 has an oblique vertical end face as shown, and ends and supported on the base plate to form a the grooved portion of the rail is extended to encontinuous rail tread, said means comprising vergage the rail II by lug IE. Lug I6 slides back and tical laminations positioned parallel to the obforth under the head of rail II and serves to lique face of the fixed rail end and substantially guide the end of rail 2. The end of rail II has filling the space between the rail end faces; and 45 an oblique face and the space formed between guide means for the said laminations, said guide this face and the oblique face of the rail 2 is means consisting of horizontal splines in the said filled by a number of vertical laminations 5, laminations so that vertical loads will be carried which are supported on the base plate I2,, and by a group of laminations acting together to form 5 have their top surfaces flush with the running a continuous rail tread, and means for maintainsurface of the rails II and 2. These laminations ing adjacent laminations in contact one with are set obliquely and are parallel to the end another and parallel with said oblique face of face of rail II, there being enough laminations the fixed rail end, certain of said laminations to extend along the outside edge of sliding rail 2. being maintained in alignment with the meeting The laminations are p o d d With O Dntal Jails whereby arail tread is formed. 55

2. A rail expansion joint comprising the meeting rail ends, a base plate for supporting said rail ends, said rail ends being each cut obliquely and their end faces lying in non-parallel oblique vertical planes, one rail end being fixed to the base plate, the other rail end being slidably mo-v able with respect to both the base plate and the fixed rail end, vertical laminations parallel to the oblique face of the fixed rail, positioned between the oblique faces of the rail endsand also on the outside edge of the movable rail retaining and operating means for the said laminations such that the space between the oblique vertical: faces of the rail ends will be substantially filled by the said laminations for all positions of the movable rail, to form a continuous rail tread; said means consisting of a laterally offset extension to the movable rail having an inwardly offset oblique vertical face which is parallel to the oblique vertical end face of the before mentioned movable rail and which is spaced to act against the outside edges of certain of the said laminations; while the oblique end face of the movable rail acts in the oppositedirection,against the insideedgesfof the said certain laminations, and aligning means for the remaining laminations.

HAROLD H. GILBERT. 

